The Stream at Riverside

Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:28-3:3.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Deception is a real danger for all of us - no less so now than when John wrote (2:18-19, 2:26). Jesus said that the deception in the last days will be so powerful as to "lead astray, if possible, the elect.” Our Lord concludes: "But be on guard; I have told you all things beforehand,” (Mark 13:22- 23). Have you yourself ever fallen into deep deception? Has a fr...

Nate gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:18-27.

Sermon Discussion Questions 1. John lists three things in 2:15-17 that constitute "the world" (desires of flesh, desires of eyes and pride of life). How are you currently wrestling with these tendencies of the sinful flesh?  2. The Riverside elders are calling the church to a fast during Lent (see link). How do you feel about this? How is God calling you to "put off the flesh" and "put on Chr...

Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:15-17.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) To love one another as we ought is to love one another with our our all (“we ought to lay down our lives for one another,” 3:16). Where do you find yourself “holding back,” in self-protection or self-preservation in ways that are ultimately unloving? What are you afraid you will lose?  2) How can we discern the difference between a Christ-like love that gi...

Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:7-14.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) John, time and again, assures us that it is possible to truly know that we know God, and also gives key indicators that we can test ourselves and others by (1 John 3: 3-5). In the midst of so much misinformation and confusion about what is actually true (regarding current events), and about who is actually “on the Lord’s side”, how does this truth reassure you?...

Nate gives the children's sermon on 1 John 2:3-6.

Sermon Questions  1) John summarizes the message he received from Jesus simply as: "God is light, in whom is no darkness at all” (1:5). What darkness do you sometimes fear might linger in God? Be honest.  2) What does it mean that Christ is our propitiation (2:2)? How is God thereby both “faithful and just to forgive us our sins” (1:9)? Why is this so important for us to understand if we...

Alex gives the children's sermon on 1 John 1:5-2:2.

Sermon Discussion Questions 1) Read and discuss the following quote from J.I. Packer: "Once you become aware that the main business that you are here for is to know God, most of life’s problems fall into place of their own accord. The world today is full of sufferers from the wasting disease which Albert Camus focused as Absurdism (‘life is a bad joke’), and from the complaint which we may call Ma...

Stacy gives the children's sermon on 1 John 1:1-4. 

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Read 1 Timothy 6:15-16. What does it mean that God has not and cannot be seen?  2) Read Hebrews 1:1-4. Unlike the prophets of old, who truly revealed God in part, Jesus Christ has “fully explained” God to us (John 1:18) - specifically in His incarnate life, death and resurrected glory. If we want to see God, in so far as we humans can see the fullness of H...

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) Read Psalms 42-43 out loud. How have you sought and experienced the life-giving presence of God this year? 2) How have you “beheld” the glory of Jesus in your life (hint: any transformational encounters with Jesus' “grace and truth”)?  3) The Word became flesh to fill our whole human existence with His divine goodness and glory. What aspects of your “flesh...

Alex gives the children's sermon on John 1:14-18.

Pastor Landon Jones

JayWil continues our Advent series in the prologue of John.

Nate gives the children's sermon on John 1:1-5.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) What we believe reveals a lot about us. What are some popular beliefs that reflect well on us in our current cultural climate? What are some unpopular beliefs that don’t reflect so well?  2) A.W. Tozer famously wrote, “What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” More specifically, what we think about Christ as t...

Stacy gives the children's sermon on John 1:1-3.

Sermon Discussion Questions  1) James cites Amos 9:11-12 in his corroboration of Peter’s ministry experience among the Gentiles with prophetic testimony. Why do you he think he chose this passage of Scripture among all the prophetic texts that spoke of God’s future blessing / inclusion of the Gentiles?  2) According to Amos 9:12, God’s restoration of David’s dynasty and kingdom (9:11) wa...

Stacy gives the children's sermon on Amos 9:11-15.

JayWil continues our sermon series on Amos.

Alex gives our children's sermon on Amos 9:1-10.